• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.173-180
• /
• 2008

Purpose: The modification of radiation-induced apoptosis by EGCG, known as antioxidants or oxidants, was studied in mice spleens irradiated with a lethal dose. Materials and Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into control, irradiation-only, and EGCG (100 mg/kg i.p. 1 h before irradiation) pretreatment groups. The mice were irradiated with a single whole-body dose of 7 Gy. The apoptosis in the spleens after irradiation of the lethal dose were analyzed by TUNEL assay. In addition, the expression levels of the Bax and Bcl-2 proteins were quantified using a Western blotting method. Results: The induction of apoptosis was detected in the splenic white pulp. The highest level of apoptosis was detected at 8 hours after irradiation. No significant difference was identified by the apoptotic index (53.9% vs. 52.1%, p=0.328) and relative Bax protein expression (0.86 vs. 0.81, p=0.335), between the irradiation-only and EGCG pretreatment group, respectively. However, a lower Bax/Bcl-2 ratio (1.64 vs. 0.97, p=0.037) and higher relative expression level of Bcl-2 protein (0.57 vs. 0.82, p=0.037) was measured in the EGCG pretreatment group. Conclusion: The EGCG pretreatment neither decreased the radiation-induced apoptosis in mice splenocytes, nor induced additional apoptosis.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.34 no.5
• /
• pp.391-394
• /
• 2001

The balance between life and death of a cell regulates essential developmental processes in multicellular organisms. Apoptotic cell death is a complex, stepwise program involving multiple protein components that trigger and execute the demise of the cell. Of the many triggers of apoptosis, most are not well understood, but some key components have been identified, such as those of the Bcl-2 family, which function as anti-apoptotic or proapoptotic factors. Bax, a pro-apoptotic member of this family, has been shown to serve as a component of many apoptotic triggering cascades and its mechanism of action is the focus of intense study. Herein we discuss current, differing ideas on the function of Bax and its structure, and suggest novel mechanisms for how this death protein targets mitochondria, triggering apoptosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.77-84
• /
• 2003

Objective : The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of three different media on preimplatation embryo development and the expression of Bcl-2, Mcl-1, Bax, and Bok in mouse. Materials and Methods: Two-cell embryos were retrieved from ICR female mice (4 weeks old) at 48 hr after hCG injection and cultured in Ham's F-10, HTF, and G1.2 media. The developmental rate of 2-cell embryos was evaluated from 24 hr to 72 hr after culture. RT-PCR was performed for the detection of Bcl-2, Mcl-1, Bax, and Bok gene expression. Results: The rates of morula and blastocyst in HTF and G1.2 media (88%, 98.1%) were significantly higher than those in Ham's F-10 media (39.6%) at 48 hr. Likewise, the rates of hatching and hatched blastocyst in HTF and G1.2 media (21.9%, 52.9%) were higher than those in Ham's F-10 media (3.5%) at 72 hr. Bcl-2 and Bax mRNAs were highly detected in embryos cultured in Ham's F-10 when compared in embryos cultured in HTF and G1.2. In contrast, the expression of Mcl-1 and Bok was not significantly different. Conclusion: These results show that HTF and G1.2 culture media increase the rate of blastocyst formation and stimulate Bcl-2 and Bax gene expression in mouse preimplantation embryos.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.763-777
• /
• 2022

Objective: Excessive lipid accumulation in adipocytes results in prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Curcumin (CUR), a naturally phenolic active ingredient, has been shown to have lipid-lowering effects. However, its underlying mechanisms have remained largely unknown. Therefore, the study aims to determine the effect of CUR on cellular lipid accumulation in porcine subcutaneous preadipocytes (PSPA) and to clarify novel mechanisms. Methods: The PSPA were cultured and treated with or without CUR. Both cell counting Kit-8 and lactate dehydrogenase release assays were used to examine cytotoxicity. Intracellular lipid contents were measured by oil-red-o staining extraction and triglyceride quantification. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-nick end labelling assay. Adipogenic and apoptosis genes were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Results: The CUR dose-dependently reduced the proliferation and lipid accumulation of PSPA. Noncytotoxic doses of CUR (10 to 20 μM) significantly inhibited extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation and expression of adipogenic genes peroxisome proliferation-activity receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, adipocyte protein-2, glucose transporter-4 as well as key lipogenic enzymes fatty acid synthase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, while ERK1/2 activation significantly reversed CUR-reduced lipid accumulation by increasing PPAR-γ. Furthermore, compared with differentiation induced media treated cells, higher dose of CUR (30 μM) significantly decreased the expression of AKT and B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), while increased the expression of BCL-2-associated X (BAX) and the BAX/BCL-2 expression ratio, suggesting triggered apoptosis by inactivating AKT and increasing BAX/BCL-2 ratio and Caspase-3 expression. Moreover, AKT activation significantly rescued CUR inhibiting lipid accumulation via repressing apoptosis. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that CUR is capable of suppressing differentiation by inhibiting ERK1/2-PPAR-γ signaling pathway and triggering apoptosis via decreasing AKT and subsequently increasing BAX/BCL-2 ratio and Caspase-3, suggesting that CUR provides an important method for the reduction of porcine body fat, as well as the prevention and treatment of human obesity.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
• /
• 2009.03a
• /
• pp.180-181
• /
• 2009

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2000.10a
• /
• pp.86-87
• /
• 2000

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.145-154
• /
• 2004

Purpose : To examine whether a synthetic bile acid derivatives (HS-1200) sensitizes the radiation-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and to investigate the underlying mechanism. Materials and Methods : Human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) in exponential growth phase were treated with HS-1200 for 24 hours at 37$^{\circ}C$ with 5$\%$ CO$_{2}$ in air atmosphere. After removal of HS-1200, cells were irradiated with 2$\~$8 Gy X-ray, and then cultured Ii drug-free media for 24-96 hours. The effect of radiation on the clonogenicity of MCF-7 cells was determined with clonogenic cell survival assay with 16$\mu$M of HS-1200. The induction of apoptosis was determined using agarose gel electrophoresis and Hoechst staining. The expression level of apoptosis-related molecules, such as PARP, Bax, Bcl-2, Bak and AIF, were assayed by Western blotting analysis with 40$\mu$M of HS-1200 combined with 8 Gy irradiation. To examine the cellular location of cytochrome c, bax and AIF immunofluorescent stainings were undertaken. Results : Treatment of MCF-7 cells with 40$\mu$M of HS-1200 combined with 8 Gy irradiation showed several changes associated with enhanced apoptosis by agarose gel electrophoresis and Hoechst staining. HS-1200 combined with 8 Gy irradiation treatment also enhanced production of PARP cleavage products and increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio by Western blotting. Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential ($\Delta$$\psi$$_{m}$) and increased cytochrome c staining indicated that cytochrome c had been released from the mitochondria in HS-1200 treated cells. Conclusion : We demonstrated that combination treatment with a synthetic chenodeoxycholic acid derivative HS-1200 and irradiation enhanced radiation-induced apoptosis of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7). We suggest that the increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio In HS-1200 co-treatment group underlies the increased radio sensitivity of MCF-7 cells. Further futures studies are remained elusive.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.328-332
• /
• 2008

The purpose of this study was to identify the protective effect of Codonopis pilosula extract on cell death induced by $H_2O_2$ in SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells. We measured the antioxidant effect by DPPH radical scavenging analysis, BSA analyssis and examined the cell viability by crystal violet and cytochrome C, Bax, Bcl-2, p53, p21 by using Western blot analysis. Codonopis pilosula extract scavenged DPPH radical in a dose-dependent manner and shown direct free radical scavenging effect, suggested that Codonopis pilosula extract have antioxidant effect in vitro. Treatment of cells with hydrogen peroxide, a reactive oxygen species, was to induce cell death and pretreatment with Codonopis pilosula extract attenuated the occurrence of $H_2O_2-induced$ cell death. To elucidate the protective mechanisms of action of Codonopis pilosula extract, Western blot analyses for Bcl-2 and Bax expression and cytochrome c release were carried out. Pretreatment with Codonopis pilosula extract induced the expression of Bcl-2 and suppressed the release of cytochrome c and Bax into the cytosol, thereby arresting $H_2O_2-induced$ apoptotic cell death. Especially p21 and p53 were decreased prior to $H_2O_2$ treatment. These results suggest that Codonopis pilosula extract is associated with the cell cycle and anti-apoptotic cell death.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.207-213
• /
• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Dokhwalgisaeng-tang on immobilization-induced muscle atrophy. Methods: Twenty young male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups. The rats in Dokhwalgisaeng-tang group were orally administered Dokhwalgisaeng-tang water extract, and the rats in the control group were given saline only. Hind limb immobilization was performed with casting tape to keep the left ankle joint in a fully extended position. No intervention was performed on the right leg which was used as an intact region. After 2 weeks of immobilization, all animals were sacrificed, and the gastrocnemius muscle was dissected from both legs and weighed. The morphology of the right and the left gastrocnemius muscle in both the Dokhwalgisaeng-tang and the control group was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The muscle cross sectional area was examined by image analysis (Axiovision LE software). In addition, immunohistochemical staining was carried out using the free-floating method, and the number of apoptotic related proteins were counted (anti-BAX, anti-Bcl-2). Results: Dokhwalgisaeng-tang showed a significant protective effect against the reduction of the left gastrocnemius muscle (weight and muscle cross sectional area) compared with the control group. Moreover, the treatment with Dokhwalgisaeng-tang significantly reduced protein expression of BAX and increased protein expression of Bcl-2 in the gastrocnemius muscle compared with the control group. Conclusion: Dokhwalgisaeng-tang showed protective effects against disuse muscle atrophy, potentially through altered BAX and Bcl-2 protein expression in the gastrocnemius muscle.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2017

Objectives Ethanol is a potent inhibitor of muscle protein synthesis. Muscle mass is regulated by the balance between rates of protein synthesis and protein breakdown. Both acute and chronic alcohol consumption inhibits synthesis to a greater extent than degradation. Protein synthesis is more intensely decreased in type II fibers than in type I fibers. Apoptosis has been shown to occur frequently in a variety of tissues in response to chronic alcohol feeding. Increased muscle fiber apoptosis has been shown in alcoholics with myopathy. Pueraria radix has been used for many disorders such as fevers, gastrointestinal disorders, muscle aches, allergies, respiratory problems, skin problems, high blood pressure, migraine headaches, lowering cholesterol and treating chronic alcoholism. We therefore tested the hypothesis that oral treatment with Pueraria radix could reduce the ethanol-induced muscle atrophy. Methods Young male Sprague-Dawley rats were orally given 25% ethanol (5 ml/kg, body weight) daily with Ethanol for 4 weeks. Normal group was similarly administrated with saline. The Rats of Pueraria radix treated group (EtOH+PR) were orally administrated Pueraria radix water extract, and rats of EtOH group were given with the vehicle only. After 4 week, the morphology of gastrocnemius and plantaris muscles were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The immunoreactivities of pre-apoptotic BAX and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins were also measured. Results The muscles from rats of EtOH group represented a significant reduction in average cross section area compared to Normal group. EtOH+PR group had increased fiber compared to the EtOH group. Moreover, to investigate the ethanol-induced muscular apoptosis, the immunohistochemical analysis of Bax and Bcl-2 was carried out. The treatment with Pueraria radix (EtOH+PR) significantly decreased BAX expression and increased Bcl-2 expression 4 weeks after ethanol administration when compared with Normal group. Conclusions These results suggest that Pueraria radix water extract has protective effects on chronic alcohol induced myopathy.